Amit Saraswat 
Since the Land Cruiser nameplate is making a return to the US market, Toyota came up with a cunning way to celebrate by showcasing a retro Land Cruiser concept at the SEMA 2023.
The Toyota Land Cruiser has fan following across the globe spanning for more than 7 decades. Across multiple generations, the Land Cruiser evolved in terms of designs and mechanicals while retaining the core strengths intact. Toyota pulled the plug off the new Land Cruiser in the US market but it is now making a return carrying a retro design.
To celebrate the return, Toyota revealed a showstopper at the ongoing SEMA 2023. It is called the Rod Millen Group’s 1967 FJ45 Land Cruiser Wagon, dubbed The Retro Cruiser. The customised truck finds its design roots in the ‘67 FJ Land Cruiser while offering the luxury of the 100 Series, which was deemed to be the ultimate comfort car from Toyota in the early 2000s.
While the focus was to use as many parts from the Land Cruiser’s bin, the team also focussed on capability and comfort. These parameters resulted in a custom-built independent rear suspension with coil-over springs. The front track was also widened by 4 inches, resulting in 30% more wheel travel. The team also narrowed the stock differential while retaining the brakes and hubs. The Retro Cruiser rides on custom 17-inch billet wheels shodded with 35-inch tyres.
On the powertrain front, the Retro Cruiser comes with a 4.7L 32-valve DOHC V8 engine producing 230PS. The engine comes coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission, transfer case and locking differentials. Ensuring the growling V8 is heard out loud, the Retro Cruiser also boasts a custom-designed Borla stainless steel exhaust.
Since the Retro Cruiser is based on a 1967 Land Cruiser wagon, the team inspected the SUV from top to bottom and replaced worn and aged components. Complete Customs ensured that the offroad returned to its previous glory by applying the original paint. While it may look stone-age offroader from the outside, it carries generous features on the inside, including features like satellite navigation, a leather roll cage and a 15-gallon water supply.
